Blockage clearing devices, systems, and methods

Abstract

A system for clearing a blockage from a lumen of a patient, such as an impacted food bolus, can include a catheter that includes a distal end for insertion into the lumen of the patient. The catheter further includes a proximal end for coupling with a suction source at a position external to the patient. The catheter further includes a lumen extending through the proximal and distal ends. The system can include a cutting tip for cutting a morsel from the bolus as suction is applied to the bolus via the lumen of the catheter. The system can also include a positioning element that transitions from an undeployed state to a deployed state, which is expanded relative to the undeployed state. The positioning element can contact the esophagus to space the cutting tip from the esophagus when in the deployed state.

1 . A system comprising:
 a catheter that comprises a distal end configured for insertion into an esophagus of a patient in which a blockage is present, a proximal end configured to couple with a suction source at a position external to the patient, and a lumen extending through the proximal and distal ends;   a cutting tip configured to cut a morsel from the blockage as suction is applied to the blockage via the lumen of the catheter; and   a positioning element that is configured to transition from an undeployed state to a deployed state that is expanded relative to the undeployed state, the positioning element being configured to contact the esophagus to space the cutting tip from the esophagus when in the deployed state.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a sheath assembly that defines a lumen sized to permit the catheter to pass therethrough, wherein the sheath assembly comprises the positioning element. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the sheath assembly further comprises an actuator that is configured to selectively deploy the positioning element. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the positioning element comprises an inflatable balloon, and wherein the sheath assembly further comprises an inflation port fluidly coupled with the balloon. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the balloon is positioned at a distal end of the sheath assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the balloon is configured to be deployed into contact with the esophagus so as to substantially center a distal end of the lumen of the sheath assembly relative to the esophagus. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the balloon is configured to be deployed into contact with the esophagus so as to anchor the lumen of the sheath assembly relative to the esophagus. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the balloon is rotationally symmetrical when inflated. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the balloon is rotationally symmetrical throughout inflation. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the balloon is semi-compliant or is non-compliant. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the balloon is configured to expand to a predetermined size via application of a first amount of pressure therein, and upon application of further pressure therein, the balloon does not expand any further. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the inflation port comprises a connector configured to be connected with an inflation device. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the connector comprises a Luer fitting. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the inflation device comprises a fluid-filled syringe. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the inflation device comprises a medical fluid delivery device configured to deliver fluid via the connector to inflate the balloon. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the sheath assembly further comprises a stopcock configured to be selectively opened and closed;   when opened, the stopcock permits inflation of the balloon to an inflated state; and   when closed after inflation of the balloon, the stopcock maintains the balloon in the inflated state.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the sheath assembly further comprises an inflation lumen via which an inflation fluid can be introduced into the balloon, wherein the stopcock is in fluid communication with the inflation lumen. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the sheath assembly further comprises a sheath that defines the lumen of the sheath assembly, and wherein the inflation lumen extends through a sidewall of the sheath. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the sheath assembly further comprises a hub coupled to the sheath, and wherein the hub defines a proximal end of the inflation lumen. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the sheath assembly further comprises a pressure regulation valve configured to ensure that a pressure within the balloon does not exceed a preset maximum value. 
     
     
         21 - 152 . (canceled)